You are here: 小蓝视频 President Announcements 小蓝视频 Receives $3 Million Gift to Launch New Era in Athletics

Back to top

小蓝视频 Washington, DC

Memorandum September 17, 2019

To:
小蓝视频 Community
From:
Sylvia M. Burwell, President
Subject:
小蓝视频 Receives $3 Million Gift to Launch New Era in Athletics

小蓝视频 is an extraordinary community of people whose dedication and generosity have聽shaped this institution. Today, I am proud to announce that 小蓝视频 has received a $3 million leadership gift from a couple who have called 小蓝视频 home for generations鈥擩ack Cassell, SOC/BA 鈥77, current Board member and former Board chairman, and his wife, Denise.

With this generous gift, we will begin planning for a new Center for Athletic Performance, a state-of-the-art facility that will attract, support, and engage our community while helping our student-athletes and Patriot League champion teams reach new heights.

In the words of our Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Billy Walker, 鈥淭he Center for Athletic Performance will be a catalyst for our future growth and success, and we are tremendously grateful to Jack and Denise Cassell for their extraordinary generosity. Jack literally grew up on this campus and has served 小蓝视频 with distinction his entire life鈥攆rom bat boy to student-athlete to Chairman of the Board of Trustees.聽This generous gift towards the Center for Athletic Performance builds on the Cassell Family legacy established by Stafford 鈥楶op鈥 Cassell, Jack鈥檚 dad and聽鈥楩ather of 小蓝视频 Athletics.鈥 This gift will impact our department for years to come and we can鈥檛 begin to thank Jack and Denise enough!鈥

The Cassell family has a long philanthropic history at 小蓝视频 and deep connections to both our Athletics program and to our students. They recognize how this facility will enhance the student experience while providing resources for the greater community, as well.

When speaking about this gift, Jack Cassell emphasizes his desire to support the future of our institution saying, 鈥淚 believe strongly in the trajectory of 小蓝视频, and through this gift, my family and I want to ensure students who come to 小蓝视频 have the same exceptional experience that we have had. We want them to find 小蓝视频 to be a welcoming home, one that will also help them achieve more than they thought they could before.鈥

The Cassell family is rooted in this university and its values. Jack鈥檚 father, Stafford Cassell, CAS/BA 鈥36, was an 小蓝视频 coach, athletic director, and vice president. He saw the 小蓝视频 community not simply as his workplace, but as a home for his family. Jack has continued this tradition, serving on 小蓝视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2003, and as chairman from May 2015 to May 2019. Jack is a passionate 小蓝视频 Eagles fan, serving as chair of the 小蓝视频 Athletics Committee for six years. He and Denise are proud 小蓝视频 parents of Jaqueline Cassell, SOC/BA 鈥14, and Devon Bradley, Kogod/BSBA 鈥14. In 2013, the university opened a new residence hall, named Cassell Hall, to honor $3 million in gifts from the family. Jack and Denise鈥檚 additional $3 million gift this year continues their philanthropic leadership on behalf of our students and 小蓝视频 Athletics.

This gift builds momentum as we embark on our new Changemakers strategic plan. We are grateful to Jack and Denise Cassell for their steadfast support and their ongoing commitment to our community. They inspire us to excel, challenge us to fulfill our mission, and cheer our success. From Eagles everywhere to some of our most dedicated, thank you Jack and Denise!